THE QUARTERLIFE CRISIS · 2018. 4. 9. · The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research Recent college graduates (n=1,008) Eligibility Requirements: • US resident • Age 19-27

The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research

THE QUARTERLIFE CRISIS: SUPPORTING YOUNG ADULT MENTAL

HEALTH AND WELLBEING DURING

THE COLLEGE-TO-CAREER

TRANSITION

Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research (Transitions ACR)

University of Massachusetts Medical School

Laura Golden

Kathleen Biebel

The Jed Foundation

John MacPhee

Victor Schwartz

Jenna Scott

The 31st Annual Research & Policy Conference on Child, Adolescent, and Young

Adult Behavioral Health - Tampa, Florida

March 5, 2017


The mission of the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research is to

promote the full participation in socially valued roles of transition-age youth

and young adults (ages 14-30) with serious mental health conditions. We

use the tools of research and knowledge translation in partnership with this

at risk population to achieve this mission.

Visit us at: http://www.umassmed.edu/TransitionsACR

The contents of this presentation were developed in collaboration with The Jed Foundation and a grant from Takeda Pharmaceuticals –Promoting Mental Health in the Transition from College to the Workplace.

Acknowledgements


Our Objective

Gain a better understanding of the challenges college

graduates face, including challenges to their emotional

and mental health, as they transition to the workforce.


Why is this work important?

• Research on this topic is rare

• Expanded focus to include those with and without diagnoses

• College-to-career transition occurs during an age associated with mental health concerns

• Young Americans (18-33 years old) experience the most stress of any generation and admit they are not managing it well.1

• 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24.2

• The % of adults seriously considering suicide is highest (7.4%) between ages 18 to 25.3


METHODS


Methods – National Survey

• National telephone survey – approx. 20 minutes long

• Informed by literature review

• Conducted by Harris Poll

• Sought information related to:

• Specific challenges young adults experienced during the

college-to-career transition

• Existing strategies to support young adults and their

emotional health


Methods – National Survey

• 1,929 interviews across 3 groups (April-July 2017)

• College seniors

• Recent college graduates

• Employers of recent graduates

• Respondents were selected from among those who

have agreed to participate in Harris Poll surveys –

limitation in representation


Examples of Questions

College Seniors

• How would you describe your senior year of college?

• (lengthy list of adjectives to choose from)

Recent Graduates

• Rate level of agreement: “I had the support and resources I needed to help me deal with the transition out of college”

• (multiple choices: strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree)

Employers

• How well do you feel your company trains new hires?

• (multiple choices: not at all well, not very well, somewhat well, very well)


PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS


College seniors (n=421)

Eligibility Requirements:

• US resident

• Age 20-26

• Currently in their final year at a 2 or 4 year college in the U.S.

• Attend all/most classes in person

Respondent Demographics:

Gender

Male 55%

Female 45%

Transgender 1%

Race/Ethnicity

White 54%

Hispanic/Latino 19%

Black/African American 13%

Asian/Pacific Islander 8%

Other/declined to answer 6%


Recent college graduates (n=1,008)


• US resident

• Age 19-27

• Graduated from a 2 or 4 year college between 2013 and 2016

• Currently employed or have been employed since graduation

Gender

Male 43%

Female 57%

Transgender 1%

Another gender not listed 1%

Race/Ethnicity

White 69%

Hispanic 11%

Black/African American 8%

Asian/Pacific Islander 7%

Other/declined to answer 5%

Participant Demographics:


Mental Health Diagnoses

1%

3%

2%

2%

2%

3%

3%

6%

9%

23%

27%

*

1%

1%

2%

2%

4%

6%

8%

9%

22%

32%

Schizophrenia/psychosis

Bipolar disorder

Borderline personality disorder

Alcohol abuse

Prescription or illegal drug abuse

Disordered eating or eating…

Self-harm

ADHD

Insomnia

Depression

Anxiety

Seniors

RecentGraduates


Employers (n=500)


• US resident

• Age 18+

• Employed full or part time

• Manage at least 1 employee who

graduated from a 2 or 4 year college

and has been working for 0-4 years

• Respondent Demographics:

• Mean age: 42 years old

• 56% Male, 44% Female

• 75% White, 12% Hispanic

Industry

Professional services,

(e.g., legal, engineering)

21%

Service industries (e.g.,

retail, hospitality)

19%

Manufacturing 13%

Healthcare 10%

Transportation,

communications, utilities

7%

Education 7%

Agriculture, mining or

construction

6%

Some other type of

business

16%


FINDINGS:

EMOTIONAL WELLBEING DURING

THE COLLEGE-TO-CAREER

TRANSITION


College seniors are ambitious and

confident!

• The majority of seniors know what they want to do after

graduation, and they are generally confident they will

succeed.

• Almost 3 in 4 trust in their ability to make any big

decisions related to their career


Nearly all seniors stressed

during final year

37%

51%

9% 3%

Very Stressful

Somewhat Stressful

Not Very Stressful

Not at all Stressful

STRESS OF FINAL

YEAR OF COLLEGE


Young adults (college seniors and grads)

feel pressure to succeed

“I feel pressure to succeed in

the professional word.”

87% of young adults

89%

11%

I feel pressure from…

Myself Others


Financial Stress of Young Adults

87.50%

63.50%57.50%

4.50% 1.50%

Befinancially

secure

Maintain asuccessful

image

Be happy Other Decline toanswer

"I feel pressure to…"

68%

32%

Stress of Current Finances

Very or somewhat stressful

Not very or not at allstressful


Recent grads are relatively satisfied with

their jobs• Recent grads - relatively high level of satisfaction with

most aspects of their job

• relationship with their boss

• workplace culture

• job security

• work-life balance

• Over 8 in 10 recent grads feel:

• proud to tell people what they do

• they are gaining valuable skills for the future


Expectation Gaps

• At the same time, >50% say their job right now does not

match up with their long-term goals


Recent grads wish they had more

support with transition

62%

agree

“I wish I had more help

preparing to transition to

the workforce after college”

Agree, 67%

Disagree, 33%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

“I had the support and resources I needed to help me deal with the

transition out of college.”


FINDINGS:

PREPARATION FOR THE COLLEGE-

TO-CAREER TRANSITION


Variety of Services Available at College,

Though Not Many Young Adults Take Advantage

• Most common reasons for not utilizing services were:

• Lack of time

• Thinking one doesn’t need help

42%

20.50%

40%

51.50%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

career counseling,internships, orresume help

mental healthcounseling

Yes, it is availableand I have notutilized it

Yes, it is availableand I have utilized it


Preparation for Transition out of College

Action Taken Young

Adults

1. Talked with my

family

66%

2. Talked with peers

and/or friends

62.5%

3. Talked with my

professors and/or

professional

mentors

48%

…

10

.

Talked with a mental

health professional

15%


37.50%

10%

19%

22%

29%

None of these

Planned how to disclose my mentalhealth condition to future employers

Planned for a career path that isconducive to my health needs

Planned for a work enivornment thatis supportive of my health needs

Set up a plan for continuing care

Preparation for College Graduation

(among those with a diagnosed mental

health condition)


Perceived Top Job Concerns of Young

Adults

1.

2.

3.


KEY TAKEAWAYS


For Young Adults

• Take advantage of services offered by school and work,

including mental health services!

• Plan early for the college-to-career transition

• Set ambitious yet realistic career goals

• Learn about state of finances & student loans before

graduation – strategize to avoid $$ stress

• Add self-care to the list of to-do’s! Don’t only focus on

achieving post-graduation benchmarks (e.g., getting a

job, living independently)


For Young Adult Supporters

Work with young adults to…

1. Set realistic & practical expectations for post-grad life

2. Create game plans for maintaining emotional health

• in particular a transitional treatment plan for young adults with mental health conditions

3. Tap into a variety of support services available to cultivate a comprehensive support system (college counseling, employee benefits, etc.)

4. Increase financial literacy/access financial resources, and recognize the affect of $ issues on mental health


References

1. American Psychological Association. (2012). Stress by generation. Retrieved from

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2012/generations.aspx.

2. Center for Disease Control, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,

Division of Violence Protection. (2015). Suicide: Facts at a glance. Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicide-datasheet-a.pdf.

3. Mistler, B.J., Reetz, D.R., Krylowicz, B., & Barr, V. (2012). The Association for

University and College Counseling Center Directors annual survey. The

Association for University and College Counseling Center. Retrieved from

http://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/06/college-students.aspx.

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2012/generations.aspx

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicide-datasheet-a.pdf

http://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/06/college-students.aspx


Thank You!Laura Golden

Email: [email protected]

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THE QUARTERLIFE CRISIS · 2018. 4. 9. · The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research Recent college graduates (n=1,008) Eligibility Requirements: • US resident • Age 19-27

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